Swingletree.



W. REEVES & H. B. LA TROBE.

SWINGLETRBE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1911.

1,060,942. Patented May 6, 1913.

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iffy rug UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

WILLIAM REEVES AND HAROLD IBEADNELL LA TROBE, OF HENDERSON, NEW ZEALAND.

SWING-LETREE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, \VILLIAM REEVES and HAROLD BEADNELL LA TROBE, both citizens of the Dominion. of New Zealand, and residing at Henderson, in the Provincial District of Auckland, in the Dominion of New Zealand, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swingletrees, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to swingletrees for horse traction and has for its object simplicity of construct-ion, and the attainment of great strength relatively to the weight of the swingletree. Means are also provided for equalizing the draft when our swingletrees are employed in a team.

Our invention is illustrated in the drawing wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of the swingletree, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of a modified form, Fig. 3 being an end sectional elevation on the line A-A, Fig. 1.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 3The spreader bar 1 of Wood or the like has recesses at each end respectively receiving the metal thimbles 2 and 3 which are secured in position by a strip 4: of hoop steel which extends along the front and around the ends of the spreader bar. The draft band 5 is also of hoop steel and its respective ends are bent around the ends of the spreader bar to which they are secured by bolts 6 and 7, and 8 and 9. These bolts also secure the strip 4 to the spreader bar. Each of the thimbles has a loop, 10 and 11 respectively, passing through it for the connection of the hooks of the trace chains. At the middle of the draft band is a metal thimble 12 to which the draft hook is connected. This thimble is secured in position by a strip 13 of hoop steel fixed by rivets 14 to the draft band 5, to insure great strength with minimum weight.

Fig. 2 shows our swingletree for use with a team of animals. The hoop steel draft band is in two parts 15 and 16, each of which has at its end a loop 17 and 18 respectively,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 4, 1911.

Patented May 6, 1913.

Serial No. 625,081.

which is fixed in position by bending the band around it and securing the end of the band by a rivet or by a loop 19. The triangular link 20 having its sides of different length passes through the thimbles 17 and 18 and by moving the link through the thimbles the angle of the link to receive the draft hook may be located in line with the middle of the swingletree or upon either side of the middle according to requirements, the shape of the link making it possible to have three variations in the pull relatively to the middle of the swingletree.

That we do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. An improved swingletree, comprising in combination a spreader bar, a draft band formed in two parts each connected at one end to an end of the spreader bar, and a triangular link connecting the other ends of said band parts, the sides of said link being of different lengths and said link serving to connect the band to a draft hook.

2. An improved swingletree, comprising in combination a spreader bar, thimbles at the ends of said bar, a strip of hoop steel passing along the side of said bar and around the ends thereof and holding said thimbles in place, a draft band of hoop steel, formed in two parts each having one end passed around an end of the spreader bar, loops carried by the other ends of said band parts, a triangular link having sides of different lengths passing through said loops and serving to connect the draft band to a draft hook, and means for securing the ends of said strip and draft band to the ends of the spreader bar.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM REEVES. HAROLD BEADNELL LA TROBE.

Vitnesses:

HENRIE H. RAYWARD, J. W. JONES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

